Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon Sailor Stars: Chaos Theory
Act 4: Hino Rei
By: Sora Kazeno
It is time for the flame senshi to appear again. Rei needed more time in the spotlight other than the small scene in the first act. Enjoy!
Usagi yawned as she woke up on Saturday morning. She stretched her arms and slowly started to make her way out of bed.
"I was going to wake you up soon," said Luna as she jumped up on the bed. "You are supposed to visit the shrine today with Mako-chan. And you don't have much time until you are supposed to be there."
Usagi began the mad scramble around her room putting clothes on. Luna used this time to try to talk to her about recent events. "I'm worried about the others. It has been a few days since anything happened and hopefully everyone is all right. I'm glad you and Mako-chan are checking on Rei-chan. Minako-chan is doing well."
Usagi raised an eyebrow as she walked over to Luna. "So you've been spending more time with Artemis, eh?"
"Usagi-chan!" Luna exclaimed as her cheeks turned red. "I also needed to check on Minako-chan!"
"It's okay Luna. You don't have to pretend that isn't why you visit all the time."
"Usagi-chan, that's enough!" Luna said. She needed to change the subject or Usagi was going to keep saying things to her. "When is the last time you've seen Mamoru-san?"
Usagi paused for a moment as she thought about it. Her eyes became downcast. "It's been a few days. It was right after Mako-chan got her memories back. Luna… what if he never gets his memories back?"
"Oh Usagi-chan I don't think he could ever forget you!" Luna said as she tried to reassure her. "I'm sure it will only be a matter of time."
Usagi's mother knocked at the door. "Usagi-chan, Mako-chan is here! Hurry up!"
Five minutes later Usagi was downstairs saying goodbye to her family.
"One more thing before you leave Usagi-chan," said Ikkuko with a large grin on her face. "When are we going to meet this Seiya?"
Usagi's eyebrow twitched and she began to fume. "It's not like that!" She shouted as she slammed the door behind her. Usagi started to walk out the front gate as she mumbled inaudible things.
Makoto looked at her fuming friend. She was afraid to ask what that was about. She didn't need to ask as Usagi began talking to herself out loud.
"So he called my house one time. He saved me from getting run over by bus and it just happened to be on the news. Nothing is going on!" Usagi griped. Suddenly she became quiet in the middle of her rant.
Makoto looked over at Usagi and tried to understand what happened. She looked in the direction where Usagi's eyes were. At the corner was Mamoru talking to a young gorgeous woman. She said something to him and they both started to laugh. The light changed and she grabbed Mamoru's arm as they both walked across the street.
"Usagi-chan did you want to…?" Makoto began to ask her unsure of how to finish the question.
"It's okay. Mamo-chan doesn't remember me… it's not like he's doing anything wrong. He can talk to other people just like I can talk to Seiya!" Usagi said as she flashed one of her fake smiles. She was really trying to cover up the pain behind her smile.
"You should fight for him more like you did in the past Usagi-chan," Makoto said as looked over at her friend.
"Sometimes it is just too much. It hurts too much. It shouldn't be this hard," said Usagi as her voice began to grow softer.
It was clear to Makoto she didn't want to talk about Mamoru anymore. "How is Seiya?"
"He's fine but it seems like the news is after him because he saved me that one time," said Usagi. "Everyone keeps on wanting to know who I am for some reason."
"Well it's not every day a celebrity risks their life to save someone," said Makoto as she began to entered the cross walk.
"He told me that he was going to protect me and that is what he was doing. It's not like I need someone with me all the time," Usagi said right as she came in the path of bicyclist trying to cut threw the pedestrians in the cross walk. The bicyclist misjudged the distance and almost knocked over Usagi as he flew by on his bicycle.
Makoto stared at Usagi with her mouth hanging open. Usagi laughed nervously as she placed a hand behind her head.
The girls continued to walk in silence as Makoto thought about something Usagi had said that it was too much and shouldn't be so hard with Mamoru. Makoto couldn't help but wonder if Seiya had something to do with it. They was no way Usagi didn't know how Seiya really felt. But she was destined to be with Mamoru…wasn't she?
The two girls were silent until the shrine steps. They were about to ascend the steps when they saw Haruka and Setsuna climbing down the steps. "Haruka-san! Setsuna-san!" Makoto exclaimed in surprised.
Haruka smiled seeing Usagi with Makoto. She hasn't see Usagi in a couple days. "Michiru is doing well… but she hasn't awakened yet." She quickly answered since she knew they were going to ask. "Hotaru-chan is the same at Michiru."
"Even though there hasn't been an attack in the past few days we must keep our guard. It is only a matter time. I don't think the other senshi will give up until they have found what they are searching for," Setsuna said with a frown on her face. "I wish there was something we could do to speed up their memories but anything we have tried with Michiru-san has been unsuccessful."
"Is there anything we can do?" Makoto asked as she took a few steps forward toward Setsuna and Haruka. She felt like she hadn't been able to contribute much since she had awakened a few days prior.
"Just keep an eye on the other senshi. We know they will be targeted at some time but we do not know when. I don't understand what they want with everyone's starseeds," said Setsuna as she placed her fist under her chin. "I just know we have to stop them." She paused before she continued because she already knew Haruka wasn't going to like what she was about to say and she was surprised she was even saying it herself, "we are fortunate to have the Sailor Starlights with us during this crisis."
Haruka rolled her eyes but didn't say anything. She knew Setsuna was right and she hated it. Despite everything that had happened they were still from another solar system and because of that she was still having trust issues with them. She did not want them to influence Usagi anymore than they already have. Haruka decided to change the subject from the Starlights by asking Usagi, "how is Mamoru-san."
"Nothing has changed…" Usagi said as her eyes became downcast.
"But we found a rose at the end of the battle the other day," Makoto chimed in. "Mamoru-san was there but he didn't seem to know where the rose came from."
"I guess it is something!" Haruka said trying to cheer up Usagi. It didn't work. Usagi was still mopey. "Well… we need to be going."
Sailor Lethe looked over at her identical twin sister and said," I want you to keep an eye on Sailor Heavy Metal Papillon today."
Sailor Mnemosyne looked at sister worried. "I don't want to make Sailor Chi upset with us."
"We should have been put in charge rather than Sailor Chi," said Sailor Lethe as she tried to reassure her sister.
"But the blonde haired woman chose her, not us," Sailor Mnemosyne said to stop her sister from talking poorly about their leader. She was afraid someone might overhear them. "She knows what is best for us. We must help her to be free and we will be able to free her sooner if we all work together against the Earth Senshi and the Starlights."
Sailor Lethe was quiet as she considered her sister's words. "She looks familiar. I'm not sure from where." She said as she tried to picture where she had seen her before. "Either way I will find her and gain her confidence."
Usagi looked around the grounds and spotted Rei in the corner with a broom. She didn't know how to approach her since Rei didn't remember her the last time she was here. Rei seemed okay and she felt relieved. It was harder for her to check on Rei than Ami and Minako since she attended a different school than them.
"Girls! I haven't you seen you in a long time!" Exclaimed Rei's grandpa as he rushed forward to greet them. "I was starting to think you were avoiding this place!"
Makoto and Usagi smiled at the welcome they received. They were hoping to not draw any attention to themselves but it was going to be next to impossible at this point.
Rei stopped sweeping to see whom her grandfather was talking to make sure he wasn't creeping out any of girls out and creating any bad publicity for the shrine. Rei walked over to the two girls.
"Rei! I was wondering what was taking you so long to greet your friends!" Grandpa said with a smile.
Rei looked at him completely confused.
Makoto and Usagi gave Rei a nervous smile unsure of what to do next.
"Well don't just stand there Rei! Say hi and go make them some tea!" Rei's grandfather directed her.
"Err.. hi.." Rei said with her eyes downcast. She was trying to figure out what was going on. "I'll go start the tea," said Rei as she began to walk away from them toward the house. She was suspicious of the two girls but she wouldn't be able to confront them as easily in front of her grandfather. If she waited until they sat down for tea she would be able to get to the bottom of things.
Usagi and Makoto talked with Rei's grandfather for a few minutes. He encouraged them to study and to find a boyfriend so they don't even up cranky like Rei. After a few more minutes of talking he told them to go see Rei since the tea should be almost ready.
Usagi and Makoto let themselves in since they knew where to go. They sat down at the table and waited to Rei.
"Mako-chan, what do we say?" Usagi whispered to her.
"Just go along with whatever Rei-chan says," Makoto whispered back. "If we tried to explain everything to her she wouldn't believe us."
"Believe you about what?" Rei asked as she walked into the room.
Usagi and Makoto became silent as they looked at each other. "Ah that… we're not sure what we're doing here!" Usagi exclaimed as she nervously put her arm behind her hand.
Rei's eyes narrowed when she saw Usagi. "I've seen you before."
Usagi's eyes became really small. Did you she remember her from several days ago when she called her Rei-chan? "Umm… are you sure?" Usagi asked as she tried not be nervous under Rei's inquisitive gaze.
"I know I've seen you before. I remember that hair style. It is so unusual," said Rei as she continued to stare at Usagi. Rei's eyes light up and she exclaimed, "you're that girl the idol Seiya-san saved the other day from the bus!"
Usagi face palmed into the table. Out of all things for Rei to remember it had to be that! "I…ah…" Usagi tried to respond back to Rei's statement.
"How do you know Seiya-san? Do you think you could get me an autograph? How about tickets to their concert that is coming up? Oh! Maybe an autograph picture! I can't believe that I know someone that knows one of the Three Lights!" Rei continued to ramble on.
Makoto sighed in relief that they would have something to talk about with Rei other than wondering why her grandfather insisted they all had tea together.
Usagi tried to answer all of Rei's questions the best she could. Then Rei asked that question. Usagi was sipping some tea from her cup when Rei asked, "so… is Seiya-san your boyfriend?"
Usagi spit out her tea and it landed on Rei across the table. "Why would you say something like that when you know I have Mamo-" Usagi stopped herself. Of course she didn't know she had Mamo-chan. How could she? She didn't remember the last couple years of her life.
Rei jumped to her feet when the tea nearly hit her. "All I did was ask a question! You didn't have to get all bent out of shape! Unless.. he is! Wait a minute! You're even wearing a heart shaped ring! He has to be!"
A teardrop appeared to the side of Makoto's head as she continued to watch the scene unfold before her. Even if Rei didn't have her memories this was still a typical interaction between the two girls.
A loud crash from outside redirected everyone's attention. The three girls immediately got up from the table and sprinted to the door. They had to find out the source of the disturbance. Once they reached the outside the building it didn't take too long. The few people that were there were running toward the steps to leave the area.
Usagi gasped when she saw her. It was Sailor Heavy Metal Papillon, the senshi that attacked her which in turn led to her powers being awakened. She knew what was about to happen next.
"Whoever you are, you are not welcomed here!" Rei said with a lot of confidence in her voice. "You need to leave."
Sailor Heavy Metal Papillon smiled at the girl before here. "Not until I get what I want…Sailor Mars." Sailor Heavy Metal Papillon focused all of her attention on Rei.
Rei turned to Usagi and Makoto, "you two get out of here. I sense a very evil presence from this woman." Usagi and Makoto didn't move. Rei pulled out a rectangular sheet of paper and placed it in front of her face, "rin, pyou, tou, sha, kai, jin, retsu, zai, zen." The paper collected energy before Rei threw it at her opponent, "Akuryou taisan!" The sheet of paper on landed on Sailor Heavy Metal Papillon and caused to be temporarily paralyzed.
"Usagi-chan," Makoto said as she held up her crystal wand.
Usagi nodded her head in agreement. "Moon Eternal, Make Up!"
"Jupiter Crystal Power, Make Up!"
The two senshi finished their transformation seconds before Sailor Heavy Metal Papillon used black flames to burn the ofuda scroll off her face.
Rei looked at the uniform the two girls next to her transformed into. There was something very familiar about the attire.
"The shrine was really peaceful until you came to ruin the day! For love and justice a sailor suited pretty soldier, Sailor Moon! In the name of the Moon I'll punish you!"
"I am not going to let you get in my way," said Sailor Heavy Metal Papillion as she prepared an attack against the two senshi.
"Jupiter Oak Evolution!"
Sailor Heavy Metal Papillon was unfamiliar with Sailor Jupiter's attack and was caught by some of the energy blast. She didn't realize that her attack had such a wide attack range.
Rei wanted to help the two girls but she wasn't sure what she could do. She didn't have powers like the other two girls. Rei prepared another scroll in an effort to buy them some time to attack the woman with butterfly wings again.
Sailor Heavy Metal Papillon noticed Rei's movements and attacked her with a bolt of energy. Rei was blasted back several feet. She slowly sat up and pushed the strands of hair out of her face.
Sailor Moon's focus was on Rei for a few seconds rather than the battle in front of her. Sailor Heavy Metal Papillon fired another attack at Sailor Moon. She didn't see it coming.
"World Shaking!"
A golden sphere rose up from the ground and blocked the attack just in the nick of time.
"Invited by the New Age, the magnificent Sailor Uranus!"
"Uranus!" Sailor Moon exclaimed as she was relieved to see her allies.
"You can't seem to stay out of trouble," Sailor Uranus said to Sailor Moon with a wink.
Sailor Phi monitored the events from the sidelines. Sailor Heavy Metal Papillon had quickly become overpowered. She decided it was time for her to cut in while no one suspected it. She raised her golden bracelets and fired two bolts of energy at Rei.
Rei screamed as she felt two bolts of energy hit her from behind.
"Rei-chan!" Sailor Moon screamed as she rushed over to her. A tangerine color flower appeared over Rei's chest which quickly bloomed and revealed a red starseed. Sailor Moon frantically tried to grab the starseed before one of the animates could collect it but she was too late.
Sailor Heavy Metal Papillon pulled out the same clear crystal that Sailor Lethe has used during the past two attacks and was about to wave it over the starseed.
Sailor Phi stopped her. "It isn't the right starseed. If it was you would know within a matter of seconds. The starseed did not transform."
Sailor Heavy Metal Papillon was upset she didn't find the correct starseed and took her frustration out on Sailor Phi. "Why did you have to interrupt my battle Phi! I was doing fine without you!"
Sailor Phi laughed at her. "Four senshi against one? Surely you jest!"
"I will be the one to find Chaos not you!" Sailor Heavy Metal Papillon yelled back at her.
The two senshi were too busy arguing that didn't see Sailor Pluto appear. She quickly grabbed the starseed from Sailor Heavy Metal Papillon and returned it to Rei.
"Now look at what you've done!" Sailor Heavy Metal Papillon yelled at Sailor Phi. "I had everything under control until you showed up!
"Mars Crystal Power, Make Up!" Flames surrounded Rei as she felt her energy surge. She was ready for a battle. Sailor Heavy Metal Papillon and Sailor Phi were oblivious to the fact that she had transformed and was about to attack them.
"You ruined everything! I would still have the starseed!" Sailor Heavy Metal Papillon continued to yell.
Sailor Phi was starting to become irritated at her outburst.
"Mars Flame Sniper!"
Sailor Phi felt heat coming her way and by the time she turned her head she was hit with the burning arrow. Sailor Phi glared at Sailor Mars. "This is far from over," she said as she vanished. Sailor Heavy Metal Papillon was silent and disappeared as well.
"Okay what is going on?" Sailor Mars exclaimed as she looked at Sailor Moon, Sailor Uranus, Sailor Pluto and Sailor Jupiter. "Did I miss something?"
Sailor Jupiter laughed at Sailor Mars' question. "We've been under attack lately." Her voice turned serious. "They are after starseeds. One in particular but I'm not sure. Today they said something about Chaos."
"I'm glad you're back with us Rei-chan," Sailor Uranus said as she started to leave. "Ah," she said as she turned around. "Michiru had some tickets left for tomorrow and didn't know whom to give them two. I figure you might enjoy them." Sailor Uranus handed the tickets to Sailor Mars.
Sailor Mars gasped as she held the tickets. "We will definitely be there. I have a feeling something is going to happen tomorrow."
Sailor Uranus let out a soft smile. "Michiru said something similar." She turned and left with Sailor Pluto.
The girls de-transformed back to their normal selves. Rei said, "I'm surprised Michiru-san wasn't with her."
"We are the only one with our memories back," said Usagi with a tone if irritation in her voice. She was tired of this repeating pattern after each senshi was awakened. The sun was setting. "I'm going to head back," Usagi said as she turned to walk away.
"Usagi, where are you-"Rei began to ask when Makoto tapper her arm as a way to tell Rei to let her go. Rei turned to face Makoto. "Usagi seems different."
"Well.." Makoto said as she tried to come up with the right words. "…she doesn't have Mamoru-san. He doesn't remember her so she's been struggling a lot the past week. The only one she has to open up to is Seiya-kun."
"I'm not sure if that is such a good idea," said Rei as she walked Usagi's retreating form. "They have a history…in a sense. Usagi just seems so… different. I can't quite put my finger on it."
Seiya sneezed. He chuckled to himself at the old Japanese saying that someone is talking about you when you sneeze. He looked out at the stars in the sky and part of him missed being on his own planet. But he knew he couldn't back there. His heart was here.
Done! I needed to have at least one scene with the one of the Starlights in this part no matter how brief it is. The next act is going to have a lot more story movement! You are going to see many of the senshi without their memories and a few things that will make your head spin! Act 5: Kaiou Michiru See you on March 20th!
